dengan demikian
Thus with Dengan Demikian
Dengan demikian is a formal connector meaning "thus," "therefore," or "consequently." It is primarily used in writing to bridge a chain of reasoning to a final conclusion.
How It Works
Dengan demikian is a high-level penanda wacana (discourse marker) used in formal Malaysian Malay.
1. Syntactic Position:
It almost always appears at the beginning of a sentence to link it to the preceding context. In this position, it must be followed by a comma.
Example: Syarikat itu telah mengurangkan kos operasi. Dengan demikian, syarikat itu berjaya mencatat keuntungan. (The company reduced its operating costs. Thus, the company successfully recorded a profit.)
2. Meaning and Usage:
According to Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP), dengan demikian is a causal discourse marker (penanda wacana penghubung musabab). It is functionally interchangeable with oleh sebab itu to introduce a result or conclusion. While its literal components (dengan + demikian) suggest 'with that manner', in practice, it simply means 'therefore' or 'thus'.
3. Formal Variants:
Common variants of this expression include dengan itu, oleh itu, oleh yang demikian, and oleh hal yang demikian. All of these function identically in linking a result to a previously stated condition. Note: Although DBP accepts both 'oleh yang demikian' and 'oleh hal yang demikian', some strict Malaysian school teachers and exam workbooks treat 'oleh yang demikian' as a grammatical error. In strict exam settings, it is safer to use 'oleh hal yang demikian'.
4. Register:
This expression is strictly for formal, academic, or literary contexts. You will find it in newspapers, legal documents, and official speeches. In casual conversation, speakers prefer jadi or the colloquial sebab tu.
Examples (3)
- Sistem pengairan telah diperbaik; dengan demikian, hasil padi di kawasan ini meningkat dua kali ganda.
The irrigation system has been improved; thus, the rice yield in this area has doubled.
Word by Word: System irrigation already improved; with thus, result rice at area this increase two times double.
Here, 'dengan demikian' links the improvement of the system directly to the resulting increase in yield.
- Pihak pengurusan telah bersetuju untuk mengurangkan kos operasi. Dengan demikian, syarikat dapat mengelakkan pemberhentian pekerja.
The management has agreed to reduce operating costs. Consequently, the company can avoid laying off workers.
Word by Word: Side management already agree for reduce cost operation. With thus, company can avoid termination worker.
The phrase starts a new sentence to show the logical outcome of the management's decision.
- Beliau rajin berusaha dan sentiasa menepati masa. Dengan demikian, beliau telah dinaikkan pangkat dengan cepat.
He works hard and is always punctual. In that way, he was promoted quickly.
Word by Word: He diligent effort and always meet time. With thus, he already raised rank with fast.
This demonstrates how 'dengan demikian' emphasizes that the promotion was a result of his specific work habits.
Common Mistakes
Using 'dengan demikian' in casual conversation or text messages.
Aku lapar, dengan demikian aku nak makan.Aku lapar, jadi aku nak makan.'Dengan demikian' is too stiff and formal for daily life. Use 'jadi' for 'so' or 'therefore' in casual settings.
Confusing it with 'hal ini demikian kerana' (this is because).
Dia gagal. Dengan demikian dia tidak belajar.Dia gagal. Hal ini demikian kerana dia tidak belajar.'Dengan demikian' introduces a result, not a reason. If you want to explain 'why' something happened, use 'kerana' or 'hal ini demikian kerana'.
Adding 'kerana' immediately after the marker.
Dia rajin berusaha. Dengan demikian kerana dia berjaya.Dia rajin berusaha. Dengan demikian, dia berjaya.Phrases like 'dengan demikian kerana' are strictly ungrammatical and heavily penalized in Malaysian schools. 'Dengan demikian' introduces a result, while 'kerana' introduces a cause; they cannot be combined.
How It Connects
Learn This First
The connector 'dengan demikian' is a formal logical transition. To understand it, learners must be familiar with its constituent parts: the preposition 'dengan' and the demonstrative 'demikian'. Additionally, learners should already understand how basic result markers like 'jadi' function in a sentence to draw conclusions.
- denganWith with Dengan
The word 'dengan' is the first component of this connector, and its basic meaning of accompaniment or instrument provides the foundation for its use in logical connections.
Level 1 - jadiResult or Transition with Jadi
Understanding basic result connectors like 'jadi' is necessary before learning more formal logical connectors like 'dengan demikian'.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- oleh sebab ituTherefore with Oleh Sebab Itu
A direct synonym meaning 'therefore'. In formal Malay, it is functionally interchangeable with 'dengan demikian' as a causal discourse marker.
Level 4 - makaFormal Result with Maka
A formal result marker often used in classical Malay or to show immediate logical consequence within a sentence.
Level 2 - keranaReason Clause with Kerana
The opposite logical link; 'kerana' introduces the cause, while 'dengan demikian' introduces the effect.
Level 1 - dengan + AdjectiveManner with Dengan
Both use 'dengan', though 'dengan demikian' functions as a fixed discourse marker rather than a simple prepositional phrase.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice dengan demikian in Bubblegum
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